Workshop July 13: “Bad Book Covers”

Yes, readers do judge a book by its cover! Join Jennifer Stolzer, illustrator and book cover artist, and Brad R. Cook, book cover designer, as they discuss a fictional author’s journey from having truly horrific book covers to ones that make her novels fly off the shelf. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, July 13, at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd., St. Louis, MO, 63131. Free to St. Louis Writers Guild members; $5 for nonmembers.

While discussing the fictional publishing career of Destinee Amore, Jennifer and Brad will present a number of book covers in various genres, demonstrating why some are bad and why others shine. Learn how to craft a book cover and what tools are needed to construct one of your own.

Jennifer Stolzer is an author/illustrator living in the St. Louis area. She graduated from Webster University with a degree in interactive digital media and animation. She uses these skills to create bright and engaging characters both in words and images. In 2017, St. Louis Post Dispatch readers voted her one of the Top 5 Local Children's Book Authors. Jennifer’s first picture book, Dog Park (2014), is based on her award-winning animation by the same name. She released her debut YA Fantasy, Threadcaster, in 2017. See samples of her work at www.jenniferstolzer.com and on facebook at Jennifer Stolzer Illustration.

Brad R. Cook is author of The Iron Chronicles (treehouse publishing group) and Steamtree: The Airdrainium Adventure (Broadsword Books). As owner of Broadsword Books, he offers book covers, marketing materials, and website design for authors and small businesses. A former co-publisher and acquisitions editor for Blank Slate Press, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild, after three and half years as President. Brad learned to fence at thirteen and never set down his sword, but prefers to curl up with a centuries’ old classic. Find more at BradRCook.com or @bradrcook on Twitter, Instagram, tumblr, and more.

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org